Metro Sports League
Indoor Soccer
Tournament Rules
This set of rules is established to govern Indoor Soccer Tournament Games in the MSL.
Updated November 13th, 2025
Conduct
In the spirit of sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome, embrace kindness, have fun, and stay positive. Remember, we are a social league, and nobody wants to take a trip to the emergency room. Keep a relaxed attitude, engage positively with other players, and respect one another.
Metro Sports League has zero tolerance for aggression and fighting in our league. If a player or team is involved in an altercation, Metro Sports League reserves the right to remove any player or team from the league with no refunds.
Metro Sports League reserves the right to end any game early if the safety of any player, ref, or MSL worker is called into question.
These regulations are in place to safeguard players, enhance enjoyment, and foster camaraderie while respecting league partners and establishments.
Team Size and Player Eligibility
To participate in Metro Sports League, players must be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver. Team sizes will depend on the specific tournament offered.
Tournaments are open to men and women, with no minimum of each needed to participate.
Games will be strictly on schedule and will start on time. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled game time to ensure you have enough time to change and be on the field before your scheduled start time.
Guests are not allowed to participate in MSL tournaments.
Forfeits
Due to a tight field schedule, games will start on time. If a team is unable to consistently begin their match on time, penalties such as point deductions, playoff ineligibility, and potential removal from the tournament will be considered.
Any match that ends in a forfeit will be recorded as a 0-3 score, regardless of the goals recorded on the field.
Equipment
MSL provides game balls for each match. Teams may bring additional balls. Players are recommended to wear shin guards but they are not required. Cleats are not allowed for indoor soccer. Players will receive team shirts as part of their registration.
Game Length and Clock
Games consist of one 20-minute game with no halftime. Regular season ties may persist, while postseason games use best of three penalty kicks.
Captains
Each team must have one or two team managers. Only team captains can interact with the referee should a dispute arise. The captain is responsible for team registration, handling any disputes on the field, relaying communications from the league to their team, and notifying the league of any changes during their match.
Players CANNOT approach the referee for any disputed calls on the field. Only team captains can approach the referee on the field during a match.
Referees/Sports Officials
Referees must be treated with respect on the field. Once a call has been made, the referees' decisions are final on the field. Any disrespectful or aggressive behavior towards the referee or any player will result in a red card and removal from the facility. Please treat our referees and each other with respect.
Scoring
Points on the leaderboard are awarded based on the following:
Win = 3 Points
Tie = 1 Point
Loss = 0 Points
Forfeit = 0 Points with 0-3 Loss
When teams are tied, goal differential will determine placement on the leaderboard.
Start of Play
Games start with a kick-off from the center mark, and can be passed behind the line. Goals cannot be scored directly from the kick-off.
Mid-Game Substitutions
Teams may substitute players freely throughout the match. Injured players require immediate replacements.
Slide Tackles
Slide tackles are not allowed on the field under any circumstances. If a player slides forward leading with their legs, they will be given a yellow card and a free kick given to the opposing team. Goalkeepers cannot slide forward with their legs.
Yellow/Red Cards
Yellow cards are issued for unsportsmanlike conduct, aggressive dissent, delaying restarts, and/or persistent fouling. When a yellow card is given, the player must leave the field for 2 minutes and the team must play a person down until the penalty time is up or the opposing team scores.
Red cards indicate ejection for serious fouls, violent conduct, denial of goal-scoring opportunities, offensive language, or a second yellow card. Players receiving red cards will not be allowed to play the match that takes place after the game the player received the red card in. Multiple red cards will result in ejection from the tournament and premises.
Free Kicks and Fouls
Free kicks will take place at the spot of the foul. All free kicks are indirect and must be passed to another player before a shot on goal is taken. If a direct kick is taken, a foul will be called and the opposing team given a free kick.
Penalty shots are given at the discretion of the referee. Penalty shots are direct kicks. Any member of the team may take the free kick or penalty kick.
During a free kick, there will be 5 paces of separation between opposing players to ensure the team taking the free kick can get the ball out.
Using the barricade around the field to give yourself an advantage will result in a foul being called. Although you are allowed to bounce the ball off the wall, you cannot grab the barricade for leverage when trying to get control of the ball against the wall.
Kick-Ins and Throw-Ins
For indoor soccer, a kick-in will take place for any ball that is out of bounds.
Out of Bounds
Out of bounds for indoor soccer is the ceiling, and any time the ball hits the side netting. When the ball hits the ceiling, the play will restart at half field to the opposing team. If the ball hits the side netting, the ball will start against the wall at the spot the ball hit the net for the opposing team. If the ball hits the back net, it will either go to the goalie if the opposing team hits it out, or start at mid field to the opposite team if the defending team hits it out.
Goalkeeper
1. Goalkeepers have 10 seconds to distribute the ball otherwise a time delay penalty will enforced and a free kick given to the opposing team. Players cannot press the goalie during this time.
2. Goalkeepers can use their hands within the designated goalie box. They cannot touch the ball with their hands if the ball is passed by their teammate.
3. Goalkeepers cannot drop kick, slide tackle with their legs forward, or kick above their waist when attempting to save a ball.
4. Goalkeepers cannot be tackled when attempting a save or after a ball is secured.
5. Goalkeepers cannot kick the ball past half field during a goal kick.
Postseason Play/Playoffs
Depending on the number of teams registered, playoff games are not guaranteed for every team.
In the event of a tie after full time in a playoff match, penalty kicks will take place the and first team to reach 3 goals scored will be declared the winner.
Any player receiving a red card during a playoff match will not be able to participate in the following match with their team.
Weather
Due to logistics of tournaments, games will take place rain or shine. In the event a tournament is cancelled, MSL staff will notify all players.